Maryland basketball recruit chooses Orange women's team

The sister of a player already on the Syracuse University women's basketball roster plans to join her sibling on the team next year.

The Washington Post has reported that Tasia Butler, a guard/forward for North Point High School in Maryland, has given a verbal commitment to play for the Orange, picking SU over 26 other schools, including Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Miami (Fla.) and St. John's. She will be part of the Class of 2013.

“Family is really important to me and playing with my sister is a big plus,” said Butler, who lives in Waldorf, Md. “Plus, they’ve been recruiting me since seventh grade, so we’ve always had a relationship.”

SU Coach Quentin Hillsman is overseas in Bucharest, Romania, serving as an assistant coach for the Netherlands Under-18 national team and was unavailable for comment.

Butler's sister, Tiara, joined the team in 2010, but redshirted her first season. Last year, the 5-foot-10 guard played in only 10 games, averaging 5.8 minutes and 1.1 points.

At 6-1, Tasia is taller than her sister. She averaged 17.1 points per game last season, leading North Point to a 23-2 record and titles in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference and Maryland 4A East.

ESPN HoopGurlz rates her as the 16th best wing in her class, giving her props for her athleticism and defense. Her offense is called spotty.